Michael Ruppal, Executive Director at The AIDS Institute, and Michelle Scavnicky, Director of Education, told us about their work related to NHAAAD: “The Institute and its NHAAAD partners nationwide are working to continue raising awareness on the challenging issues facing the aging population with regards to HIV prevention, testing, care and treatment,” Michael said. “This year’s NHAAD theme, ‘Aging is a part of life; HIV doesn’t have to be,’ demonstrates the increased need for prevention, research, and data targeting the aging population, medical understanding of aging, and its impact on HIV/AIDS.”

The campaign focuses on:

People living with HIV/AIDS who are aging with the disease or already over 50 at the time of their diagnosis;

Increasing the use of protection from HIV infection, especially among the baby boomer population; and

The increasing number of grandparents becoming the primary guardians for children who have lost their parent(s) to HIV/AIDS.

With these resources, Michael, Michelle, Humberto, Johanne — and many other individuals and organizations across the country — are calling attention to the fact that “Aging is a part of life; HIV doesn’t have to be!”

What will you do on September 18? For ideas on how to get involved on or around National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, visit www.TheAIDSInstitute.org. To learn about HIV and AIDS, visit AIDS.gov. To find an HIV testing site near you, text your ZIP to “KNOWIT” (566948) or visit hivtest.org.

The HIV/AIDS Federal News Feed consolidates news shared by many Federal agencies. Follow the following feeds to learn about program or policy updates, new resources, funding opportunities , upcoming events, and the latest research developments from AIDS.gov, HHS, NIH, AIDSInfo, SAMHSA, and CDC.